NameCensus.

UK surname

Macmahon

Son of a bear in Irish Gaelic.

In the 1881 census there were 215 people recorded with the Macmahon surname, ranking it #12,249 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 418, ranked #11,472, up from #12,249 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Burnley, Roystonhill, Blochairn, and Provanmill and Thanet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Macmahon is 490 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 94.4%.

1881 census count

215

Ranked #12,249

Modern count

418

2016, ranked #11,472

Peak year

1997

490 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Macmahon had 215 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,249 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 418 in 2016, ranked #11,472.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 274 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Macmahon surname distribution map

The map shows where the Macmahon surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Macmahon surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Macmahon over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 28 #28,274
1861 historical 71 #24,765
1881 historical 215 #12,249
1891 historical 250 #12,762
1901 historical 274 #12,370
1911 historical 221 #14,044
1997 modern 490 #9,435
1998 modern 481 #9,893
1999 modern 433 #10,807
2000 modern 438 #10,669
2001 modern 416 #10,898
2002 modern 428 #10,880
2003 modern 409 #11,088
2004 modern 417 #10,943
2005 modern 393 #11,335
2006 modern 392 #11,418
2007 modern 392 #11,550
2008 modern 379 #11,960
2009 modern 402 #11,682
2010 modern 428 #11,352
2011 modern 422 #11,359
2012 modern 418 #11,318
2013 modern 421 #11,462
2014 modern 429 #11,347
2015 modern 420 #11,458
2016 modern 418 #11,472

Geography

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Where Macmahons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes, Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Burnley, Roystonhill, Blochairn, and Provanmill, Thanet and Ryedale. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
2 London parishes London 1
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Burnley 014 Burnley
2 Roystonhill, Blochairn, and Provanmill Glasgow City
3 Thanet 016 Thanet
4 Burnley 009 Burnley
5 Ryedale 007 Ryedale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Macmahon

These lists show first names that appear often with the Macmahon surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Macmahon

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Macmahon, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Macmahon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Macmahon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Macmahon is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Macmahon is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Macmahon falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Macmahon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

This describes the area pattern most associated with Macmahon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Macmahon

The surname MACMAHON originated in Ireland and can be traced back to the 10th century. It is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name "Mac Mathghamhna," which means "son of the bear." This name is derived from the old Irish word "math" meaning "bear" and "ghamhain" meaning "calf" or "yearling."

The MACMAHON name has its roots in County Monaghan, where the family belonged to the Airgíalla clan and held significant power and influence. The name first appeared in the Irish Annals around the year 1000 AD, with references to the chieftains of the MACMAHON clan.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the MACMAHON name can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In 1166, Rory MACMAHON, the chief of the clan, is recorded as participating in the Norman invasion of Ireland.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the MACMAHON family played a prominent role in the Irish Confederate Wars against the English forces. Heber MACMAHON (1600-1650), a notable military leader, fought alongside Owen Roe O'Neill and contributed significantly to the Irish resistance efforts.

In the 17th century, several members of the MACMAHON clan emigrated to France and served in the Irish Brigades of the French Army. The most famous of these was Patrick MACMAHON (1680-1752), who rose to the rank of Marshal of France and was appointed the Governor of Alsace.

Another notable figure was John MACMAHON (1715-1777), who served as a colonel in the French Army and later became the Governor of Île de France (Mauritius). He played a crucial role in defending the island against the British during the French and Indian War.

In the 19th century, Marie Edme Patrice Maurice MACMAHON (1808-1893) became a prominent figure in French politics. He served as the President of the Third French Republic from 1873 to 1879 and played a pivotal role in stabilizing the country after the Franco-Prussian War.

The MACMAHON name has also been associated with various place names in Ireland, such as Ballymacmahon (meaning "the town of the MACMAHONS") in County Longford, and Clonmahon (meaning "the meadow of the MACMAHONS") in County Offaly.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Macmahon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Macmahon surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 21 Macmahons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.34x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 21 1.34x
Middlesex 17 1.29x
Yorkshire 15 1.15x
Lanarkshire 14 3.29x
Staffordshire 10 2.25x
Durham 9 2.30x
Hampshire 9 3.33x
Aberdeenshire 8 6.56x
Devon 6 2.19x
Cornwall 3 2.01x
Midlothian 3 1.70x
Warwickshire 3 0.90x
Angus 2 1.64x
Kent 2 0.45x
Sussex 2 0.90x
Buteshire 1 12.53x
Cheshire 1 0.34x
Denbighshire 1 2.01x
Fife 1 1.28x
Hertfordshire 1 1.10x
Huntingdonshire 1 3.83x
Isle of Man 1 4.09x
Lincolnshire 1 0.48x
Northumberland 1 0.51x
Renfrewshire 1 0.98x
Somerset 1 0.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Blackburn in Lancashire leads with 9 Macmahons recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.65x.

Place Total Index
Blackburn 9 21.65x
Aberdeen Old Machar 8 31.42x
Govan 8 7.60x
Kensington London 8 10.93x
Dewsbury 7 52.32x
Leeds 7 9.50x
Stoke Upon Trent 7 14.85x
Monkwearmouth Shore 6 78.43x
Ardwick 5 35.49x
Plymouth St Andrew 5 23.69x
Brading 4 111.42x
St Martin In Fields 4 50.76x
Barony 3 2.78x
Holdenhurst 3 42.37x
Liskeard 3 120.48x
Accrington 2 14.08x
Aston 2 2.19x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 2.82x
Portsea 2 3.78x
Salford 2 4.35x
Wolverhampton 2 5.85x
Abenbury Fawr 1 1428.57x
Andreas 1 151.52x
Auchterderran 1 51.02x
Bluntisham 1 204.08x
Brechin 1 20.88x
Chelsea London 1 2.52x
Cowfold 1 212.77x
Cumbrae 1 119.05x
Dundee 1 2.20x
Glasgow 1 1.32x
Gorbals 1 39.53x
Grantham 1 36.50x
Greenwich 1 4.77x
Hamsterley 1 454.55x
Hastings St Mary 1 18.12x
Hulme 1 3.07x
Jesmond 1 36.23x
Kilmalcolm 1 81.97x
Lanark 1 29.15x
Liverpool 1 1.05x
Monks Kirby 1 136.99x
Northowram 1 10.93x
Rocester 1 181.82x
Shoreditch London 1 1.75x
St Marylebone London 1 1.42x
St Pancras London 1 0.94x
Stockton On Tees 1 5.30x
Toxteth Park 1 1.89x
Tranmere 1 9.36x
Walcot 1 8.86x
Watford 1 14.20x
West Calder 1 28.74x
West Teignmouth 1 47.62x
Westminster St James 1 7.39x
Wingate 1 37.17x
Woolwich 1 6.02x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Macmahon surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 7
Catherine 5
Bridget 4
Ellen 4
Margaret 4
Annie 3
Elizabeth 3
Ann 2
Emma 2
Helen 2
Jane 2
Rose 2
Alice 1
Clara 1
Ellenor 1
Fannie 1
Hannah 1
Isabella 1
Josephine 1
Kathleen 1
Louisa 1
Marcella 1
Martha 1
Maryann 1
Matilda 1
S.N. 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Macmahon surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 12
James 5
Francis 4
Thomas 4
William 3
Edward 2
Frederick 2
Henry 2
Michael 2
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Frank 1
Hugh 1
Patrick 1
Patsey 1
Philip 1
Robert 1
Ross 1
Stanislaus 1
Tim 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Macmahon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Macmahon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 215 people were recorded with the Macmahon surname. That placed it at #12,249 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Macmahon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 418 in 2016. That gives Macmahon a modern rank of #11,472.

What does the Macmahon surname mean?

Son of a bear in Irish Gaelic.

What does the Macmahon map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Macmahon bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.